SoundStage! Audiophile Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Selling Emotions: Conradin Amft on T+A's History and Future - Then to Now | Hi-Fi Tomorrow Feb 16, 2024

Show notes

For the final episode of season 2 of the SoundStage! Audiophile Podcast, host Jorden Guth is joined by T+A COO Condradin Amft to discuss the company’s history and heritage, its entry into the headphone market, and how hi-fi will evolve into the future.

Sources:

“44 Years of T+A—Germany's Hi-Fi Giant in Detail”: https://youtu.be/lzW18SuAJW0?si=SUjQkUfzU-obTWDv

Chapters:
00:00:00 Announcement
00:00:20 Introductions
00:01:53 The long road to today’s T+A
00:20:44 Music Break: “Finale” by David Morton
00:22:15 Where does T+A—and the hi-fi industry—go from here?
00:34:05 Outro: “Mirrors Sometimes Lie” by Marco Martini

Sonus Faber Suprema Speaker System Deep Dive - Technical Highlights | Trickle-Down Technologies Feb 02, 2024

Show notes

When Sonus faber introduced its massive new flagship loudspeaker system, Suprema, at this year’s CES, most of the press responded by asking about the price and finishes and little else. In this episode of the podcast, host Jorden Guth and SoundStage! founder Doug Schneider ask the real (and really tough) questions about the design and technical specifications of this world-class 4.5-way system comprised of two towering speakers and one or two massive subwoofers.

Sources:

Sonus faber Suprema product page: https://www.sonusfaber.com/en/products/suprema

“Suprema: the Sonus faber sonic revolution”: https://youtu.be/8rvz6C-D6Ng?si=f9aCKCfleNgivNRu

Chapters:
00:00:00 Announcement
00:00:20 Introductions
00:01:53 Supreme in minute technical detail
00:38:58 Music Break: “Memory Lane” by Vox Portent
00:22:01 The 30,000-foot view of the Suprema experience
01:06:27 Outro: “Turquoise Soil” by Vox Portent

The Tao of the Reviewer - Hi-Fi Reviewers' Systems and Needs | Writing a Hi-Fi Review Jan 19, 2024

Show notes

This week, host Jorden Guth is joined by SoundStage! Access editor and producer of the podcast Dennis Burger to discuss his recent article about how reviewers’ reference systems are often necessarily different from the systems they wish they could own. Dennis also gives Jorden some tips on writing a good review.

Sources:

“The Needs of the Many versus the Needs of the Reviewer” by Dennis Burger: https://soundstageaccess.com/index.php/feature-articles/1273-the-needs-of-the-many-versus-the-needs-of-the-reviewer

“Martijn Mensink On the Magic of Dutch & Dutch”: https://www.soundstage.life/e/martijn-mensink-on-the-magic-of-dutch-dutch-active-speakers-cardioid-dispersion-acoustics/

“Speaker and Headphone Measurements Mash-Up”: https://www.soundstage.life/e/speaker-and-headphone-measurements-mash-up-misinformation-what-matters-active-vs-passive-listening/

“Simaudio’s North Collection: The Future of Hi-Fi?”: https://www.soundstage.life/e/simaudio-s-north-collection-the-future-of-hi-fi/

Baumgartner Restoration: https://www.youtube.com/c/baumgartnerrestoration

Chapters:
00:00:00 Announcement
00:00:20 Introductions
00:05:44 The needs of the many vs. the needs of the reviewer
00:19:52 Music Break: “Threads of Smoke” by Tamuz Dekel
00:22:01 How does Dennis write a review?
00:50:50 Outro: “Turquoise Soil” by Tamuz Dekel

2023 SoundStage! Awards - Products of the Year | Outstanding Achievements | Choosing Jan 05, 2024

Show notes

This week, host Jorden Guth is joined by SoundStage! founder Doug Schneider and SoundStage! Australia editor Edgar Kramer to discuss their respective 2023 year-end awards.

Sources:

“The 2023 SoundStage! Network Awards for Outstanding Achievements and Products of the Year” by Doug Schneider: https://www.soundstagehifi.com/index.php/opinion/1843-the-2023-soundstage-network-awards-for-outstanding-achievements-and-products-of-the-year

“The SoundStage! Australia Products of the Year Awards 2023” by Edgar Kramer: https://soundstageaustralia.com/index.php/features/832-the-soundstage-australia-products-of-the-year-awards-2023

Audiophile Atmos—Dominique Fils-Aimé Surrounds with Our Roots Run Deep: https://youtu.be/74YJo-KM_Po?si=pWqHAGO6nRCOYomd

2023 SoundStage! Awards—Best Hi-Fi Products and Outstanding Achievements with Dominique Fils-Aimé: https://youtu.be/pQf2W60g5T0?si=iIsNb1Os2lSlkJIH

“Tell Me Taylor Swift Fans Don’t Care About Sound Quality” by Dennis Burger: https://soundstageaccess.com/index.php/feature-articles/1270-tell-me-taylor-swift-fans-dont-care-about-sound-quality

“Seven Shades of AC/DC’s Back in Black–Finding the Best Version to Test Your System With” by Doug Schneider: https://www.soundstagehifi.com/index.php/system-one/1280-seven-shades-of-acdcs-back-in-black-finding-the-best-version-to-test-your-system-with

Chapters:
00:00:00 Announcement
00:00:20 Introductions
00:05:44 How SoundStage! does it different
00:18:25 Music Break: "Walkabout Australia" by Hans Johnson
00:19:21 Recognizing the people who make the magic happen
00:46:26 Outro: “Too Many Steps” by Oran Loyfer

From Wilson Audio to T+A , then Back - InSight Videos | The Two-Day Rule | The Filming Approach Dec 22, 2023

Show notes

This week, host Jorden Guth is joined by SoundStage! founder Doug Schneider to tell the origin story of SoundStage! Network’s InSight video series, how they’ve evolved, and the details of their most recent globetrotting trip to Wilson Audio and T+A.

Sources:

Muraudio's Domain Omni Series Speaker | SoundStage! InSight: https://youtu.be/VkHQC8pz2H8?si=Lax4bC_UDAXXxSkj

Axiom Audio's M100 v4 Loudspeaker | SoundStage! InSight: https://youtu.be/7cdPUHJKx70?si=bNa83Mkf2R08yY8N

Totem Acoustic's Torrent Technology | SoundStage! InSight: https://youtu.be/GTIpO19Eg-k?si=O5M9YYEgUioRq6Vs

Vivid Audio's Giya Series Speakers | SoundStage! InSight: https://youtu.be/RT2ytbENY34?si=4RoFWyyMbBN8J8dw

Paradigm's Prestige Series | SoundStage! InSight: https://youtu.be/_q7pMJ3LSjs?si=IO6pPLHwz-7714g9

MartinLogan's Neolith Loudspeaker (February 2015): SoundStage! InSight: https://youtu.be/XIinQTD36cE?si=cODB7nSvy2pZ0ORi

Monitor Audio Hyphn Speaker 1 - From Visionary Concept to Cutting-Edge Completion | SoundStage! InSight: https://youtu.be/uk5vckG5Imw?si=dL753LtRdgLAE_Cz

Monitor Audio Hyphn Speaker 2 - Advanced Acoustical Concepts and Daring Industrial Design | SoundStage! InSight: https://youtu.be/5BTZ5REwjCQ?si=VSEyOua-ZKRjJHRv

Daryl Wilson: Growing Up and Into Wilson Audio: https://www.soundstage.life/e/darylwilson-growing-upand-into-wilsonaudio-the-wilsonhouseholdbuildingwattpuppy-speakersnorth-star-measurements-andlisteningpink-floyd-fridays/

44 Years of T+A - Germany's Hi-Fi Giant in Detail | SoundStage! InSight: https://youtu.be/lzW18SuAJW0?si=AsMDlMuEuCaraWqO

Chapters:
00:00:00 Announcement
00:00:20 Introductions
00:00:52 The Two-Day Rule
00:14:16 Music Break: "Ocean Depth" by Veaceslav Draganov
00:15:39 This ain’t marketing
00:21:45 Touring a facility and picking up slack
00:24:35 From Jazz to T+A and beyond
00:34:51 Picking favorites?

Simaudio’s North Collection: The Future of Hi-Fi? - Development | BRM-1 | Reception and Reviews Dec 08, 2023

Show notes

This week, host Jorden Guth is joined by Simaudio product director Dominique Poupart and marketing director Étienne Gautier to discuss the company’s new North Collection, how it was developed, what it means for the future of hi-fi, why the remote control is the best in the world, and how the lineup has been embraced by audiophile press and customers alike. They also dig into how a brand radically reinvents itself after four decades without losing its identity, and why it’s scary for a manufacturer to pack so much functionality into fewer and fewer boxes.

Sources:

North Collection: https://simaudio.com/en/product-category/north-collection/

"Simaudio’s Moon 791 Streaming Preamplifier: Uncompromised" by Doug Schneider: https://www.soundstagehifi.com/index.php/opinion/1841-simaudio-s-moon-791-streaming-preamplifier-uncompromised

"Moon by Simaudio Has Exited the Echo Chamber" by Dennis Burger: https://www.soundstageaccess.com/index.php/feature-articles/1201-moon-by-simaudio-has-exited-the-echo-chamber

"Simaudio’s Étienne Gautier & the Art of Marketing Moon" on the SoundStage! Audiophile Podcast: https://www.soundstage.life/e/simaudio-s-etienne-gautier-the-art-of-marketing-moon-baumgartner-restoration-taskmaster/

"The Maverick" by Baumgartner Restoration: https://youtu.be/LV2eOu14fQM?si=eiVbtAhMteYG2taI

Chapters:
00:00:00 Announcement
00:00:20 Greetings and salutations
00:01:07 The development of the Simaudio North Collection
00:23:45 Music Break: "Funkymania" by Omri Smadar and The Original Orchestra
00:25:11 Controlling the North Collection and where Simaudio goes from here
00:51:48 The soundtrack to Dominique’s and Étienne’s lives

How SVS Built a Hi-Fi Community - History | Products | Community Building Nov 24, 2023

Show notes

This week, host Jorden Guth is joined by SVS president Gary Yacoubian and VP of marketing Nick Brown to discuss the company’s history, its unique approach to hi-fi and home theater, and how it actively engages with its customers.

Sources:

SVS: https://www.svsound.com/

“The Only True Currency in This Bankrupt World” by Audio Unleashed: https://audiounleashed.podbean.com/e/the-only-true-currency-in-this-bankrupt-world/

“SVS Prime Wireless Pro Active Loudspeaker System” by Gordon Brockhouse: https://www.soundstagesimplifi.com/index.php/equipment-reviews/217-svs-prime-wireless-pro-active-loudspeaker-system

“SVS Prime Pinnacle Loudspeakers” by Philip Beaudette: https://www.soundstagehifi.com/index.php/equipment-reviews/1358-svs-prime-pinnacle-loudspeakers

Chapters:
00:00:00 Announcement
00:00:20 Greetings and salutations
00:06:32 SVS: A brief history
00:22:47 Music Break: "Everyday with You" by Ben Sharkey and Ziggy
00:24:09 How SVS builds its community
00:42:21 The soundtrack to Nick and Gary’s lives

Audio Video Show 2023 Highlights - Warsaw Vibe | Good and Bad Shows | Bringing Matt | Best and Worst Products Nov 10, 2023

Show notes

This week, host Jorden Guth is joined by SoundStage! founder Doug Schneider and SoundStage! Ultra senior editor Jason Thorpe to discuss Warsaw 2023, why it’s such a special show, what it’s like to be there, and what it was like to see it through the eyes of a young audiophile.

Sources:

SoundStage! coverage of Audio Video Show 2023 - Warsaw, Poland: https://www.soundstageglobal.com/index.php/shows-events/audio-video-show-2023-warsaw-poland

Chapters:
00:00:00 Announcement
00:00:20 Introductions
00:01:07 What makes Warsaw special?
00:27:12 Music Break: "Let Me Show You" by Eldar Kedem & Floating World
00:28:47 A vicarious walkthrough of the show00:50:20 The soundtrack to Jason’s life

Dan Laufman on the Value of Emotiva - Origin | Hi-Fi Manufacturing | Profits | Ethics Oct 27, 2023

Show notes

This week, host Jorden Guth is joined by Emotiva’s Dan Laufman to discuss the origins of his passion for hi-fi, the history of electronics manufacturing in the neoliberal era, how to make an profit in the audio business ethically, the long hard road to revitalizing North American manufacturing capabilities, and the virtues of being inclusive instead of exclusive.

Sources:

Emotiva: https://emotiva.com/

"The True Cost of Saving a Few Bucks: A Q&A with Emotiva's Dan Laufman" by Dennis Burger: https://www.soundstageaccess.com/index.php/feature-articles/1144-the-true-cost-of-saving-a-few-bucks-a-q-a-with-emotivas-dan-laufman

Chapters:
00:00:00 Announcement
00:00:20 Introductions
00:01:11 The road to Emotiva
00:23:01 Music Break: "Terems" by Amit Sagie
00:24:07 The realities of 21st century manufacturing
00:55:02 The soundtrack to Dan’s life

Martijn Mensink On the Magic of Dutch & Dutch - Active Speakers | Cardioid Dispersion | Acoustics Oct 13, 2023

Show notes

This week, host Jorden Guth is joined by Martijn Mensink of Dutch & Dutch to discuss how an old clock radio incubated a love of music that developed into a passion for good sound that evolved into a career in speaker design. During the course of the conversation, they explore Martijn’s history of speaker development, the business ventures that preceded Dutch & Dutch, how the company’s cardioid speaker design is transformative, and where the company is headed in the future.

Sources:

Dutch & Dutch: https://dutchdutch.com/

Dutch & Dutch 8c Active loudspeaker review by Diego Estan: https://www.soundstagehifi.com/index.php/equipment-reviews/1270-dutch-dutch-8c-active-loudspeakers

"Intro to Dutch & Dutch and the 8c Active Loudspeaker" - SoundStage! InSight: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n2R9lEJH4O

"Dutch & Dutch 8c Active Loudspeaker in Detail" - SoundStage! InSight: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aW-6R5HP8SE

Chapters:
00:00:00 Announcement
00:00:20 Introductions
00:01:02 From AM radio to a life in speaker design
00:15:50 Why cardioid speakers hit different
00:31:12 Music Break: "Astra" by Magiksolo
00:32:31 Room acoustics, app development, and the future of Dutch & Dutch
00:50:23 The soundtrack to Martijn’s life

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